Robin White http://www.robinwhiteonline.com Life & Ministry in Japan posterous.com Sun, 01 Apr 2012 19:06:10 -0700 Luke 22:39-53 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/luke-2239-53 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/luke-2239-53
"Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation." (v. 46)

We all face temptation every day, some days more than others. But the Bible promises that God always provides a way out. And I wonder if sometimes it's as simple as Jesus' instructions to His disciples in this passage...

"Get up and pray."

Jesus' temptation was to flee from or resist the coming storm, His crucifixion. It was a trial He did not want to go through. But it was part of the Father's plan. Jesus sets an example for us here when He faces the temptation to disobey. He prays. 

"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." (v. 42)

He prays. He's honest about how He feels, but He submits to the Father's will. He chooses to obey. And when the time comes for His arrest, Jesus does not resist, because He's already settled the issue with His Father in prayer. He does the right thing, for us. 

Meanwhile, the disciples -- who slept instead of praying -- are overcome by fear when the storm arrives. When temptation comes, they flee, betray and deny. 

Whose example do we follow? How often does something as simple as fatigue or laziness win out over prayer in our lives? How often is defeating temptation as simple as getting up and praying?

Get up and pray!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1641969/image.jpg http://posterous.com/users/ZtksYS43H8t Robin White Robin White Robin White Wed, 29 Feb 2012 16:42:46 -0800 Luke 12:35-48 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/luke-1235-48 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/luke-1235-48 "The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat!" (v. 37)

In Jesus' parable, after the master returns from his journey to find his servants waiting, the master serves the servents. I find this really encouraging. What an amazing picture of the reward God has in store for us who are His servants in Christ!

In the end, it will be worth the wait. It will be worth the pain. It will be worth the struggles. Be faithful.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1641969/image.jpg http://posterous.com/users/ZtksYS43H8t Robin White Robin White Robin White Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:00:17 -0800 Luke 11:1-13 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/luke-111-13 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/luke-111-13
"...how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (v. 13)

In His teaching here about prayer, Jesus doesn't promise us that we will receive everything we think we want. But He does promise that we will receive what we need. And what we need -- or rather, who we need -- is the Holy Spirit.

God offers us Himself. He promises that those who week Him will find Him. But so often we seek other things to fill that hole. This affects both how we pray and how we live.

Father God, I pray for more of Your Holy Spirit in my life. May it be You that I seek, You who are my purpose, goal, center and life. Please purify my prayer life, my priorities, my heart. Lord, teach me to pray.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1641969/image.jpg http://posterous.com/users/ZtksYS43H8t Robin White Robin White Robin White Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:39:22 -0800 Luke 9:51-62 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/luke-951-62 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/luke-951-62 “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place
to lay his head.” (v. 58)

“No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service
in the kingdom of God.” (v. 62)

These statements from Jesus are challenging words for modern
Christians in modern nations, who want comfort and security and
ease... things that Jesus never guaranteed His followers. In fact, not
only did He not guarantee these things, He promised that following Him
would not be easy.

Those of us who do have it easy should stop and think, in light of
words like these. Am I following Jesus or simply a convenient form of
religion? Does Jesus have all of me? Is Jesus really everything to
me if following Him hasn't cost me anything?

Again, let my prayer be "Take the world but give me Jesus."

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1641969/image.jpg http://posterous.com/users/ZtksYS43H8t Robin White Robin White Robin White Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:31:16 -0800 Luke 9:18-27 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/luke-918-27 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/luke-918-27 'Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?'" (v. 23-25)

Sometimes my response to life's disappointments is... disappointing.  I'm more selfish than I'd like to admit. I don't like it when I don't get my own way, I don't like waiting, I want comfort and fulfillment and success and...

Here Jesus calls me to something higher, something better.  To give my ALL to Him. It's a high calling. Many days I fail to live up to it. Which is why I need His grace. And by His grace, here and now, I make this my prayer....

"Take the world, but give me Jesus."

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1641969/image.jpg http://posterous.com/users/ZtksYS43H8t Robin White Robin White Robin White Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:17:11 -0800 Luke 9:1-17 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/luke-91-17 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/luke-91-17 "Take nothing for the journey -- no staff, no bag, no bread, no money,
no extra tunic." (v. 3)

These are the instructions Jesus gave the 12 when He sent them out in
His name. And yet how often do I worry or complain that I don't have
all I need? Or... want? Jesus wants us to trust Him.

Just a few verse later, Jesus dramatically illustrates His point when
miraculously feeds 5000 people. God is more than able to provide for
our needs, and in this case gave the people more than they needed, as
the 12 baskets of leftovers show.

God will take care of us as we trust Him with our lives and follow His lead.

As Jesus says elsewhere, "seek first his kingdom and his
righteousness, and all all these things will be given to you as well."
(Matthew 6:33)

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1641969/image.jpg http://posterous.com/users/ZtksYS43H8t Robin White Robin White Robin White Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:25:11 -0800 Luke 6:12-26 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/luke-612-26 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/luke-612-26
"Looking at his disciples, he said: 'Blessed are you who are poor...'"

Many of Jesus gave up a lot to follow Him, such as those who left their boats and nets (their livelihood) on the shore and walked away. Some gave up everything to follow Jesus.

What about you?

What about me?

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1641969/image.jpg http://posterous.com/users/ZtksYS43H8t Robin White Robin White Robin White Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:20:10 -0800 Luke 3:1-17 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/luke-31-17 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/luke-31-17
"Produce fruit in keeping with repentance." (v. 8)

Real repentence isn't just feeling sorry for our sins, but turning from it and choosing to live differently. It means to follow Jesus and live in a way that produces "fruit" -- brings positive results to our lives and the lives of those around us.  

It's interesting to note here that when his audience asks him what they should do, the kind of fruit John tells them to produce is all related to money and possessions. He says, for example, "The man who has two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same." (v. 11) And throughout the gospels, Jesus too comes back to this idea again and again. 

I guess Jesus and John both knew that how we use our money and possessions shows our priorities, our hearts. Their example and teaching point us toward living as simply as possible so that we can more freely give and serve.

This is a pretty big challenge to our modern, materialistic ways of living. Are we letting society influence us into confusing our needs with selfish desires? Or are we willing to follow the way of Christ and live more simply, with less stuff, so that we can give more to help those in need?

Father God, I have everything I need, and then some. Thank You for providing for my needs. Teach me to use what I have in a way that honors You and furthers Your Kingdom.

(Sent from my iPad)

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1641969/image.jpg http://posterous.com/users/ZtksYS43H8t Robin White Robin White Robin White Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:25:29 -0800 Luke 2:1-20 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/luke-21-20 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/luke-21-20
I love now eager the shepherds in this story are. After they heard about Jesus, they quickly went to see Him for themselves. And after seeing Him, they quickly spread the word to others. And they returned home praising God for the things they'd seen and heard.

I want to be more like these shepherds, seeking to experience more of Jesus, eagerly sharing the good news with others, and praising God enthusiastically as I go about my daily life.

Lord, my prayer today is that You will deepen my desire to know You, to share You and to worship You.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1641969/image.jpg http://posterous.com/users/ZtksYS43H8t Robin White Robin White Robin White Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:59:41 -0800 Luke 1:67-80 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/luke-167-80 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/luke-167-80 Here Zechariah reminds us that God fulfills His promises. Today I'm thankful for our faithful and trustworthy God. May I be found faithful to Him.

神様が約束を果たしてくださるのは思い出されました。今日、頼もしきて信頼できる神様を感謝しています。私も頼もしい人になりますように。

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1641969/image.jpg http://posterous.com/users/ZtksYS43H8t Robin White Robin White Robin White Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:33:27 -0800 Luke 1:57-66 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/luke-157-66 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/luke-157-66 「すると、立ちどころにザカリヤの口が開けて舌がゆるみ、話り出して神ほめたたえた。」(64)

私も早く神様をほめたたえたい。祝福をいただいたら、感謝で応えますように。朝、起きたときの最初の考え方と言葉は賛美になりますように。

"Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God." (vs. 64)

Zechariah's first words after the birth of his son John and the receiving of his voice back were words of praise. He obviously recognized God's blessings when he saw them. I want to be quick to praise God as well. When I receive a blessing, may my response be to thank Him, and when I wake up in the morning, may my first thought, my first words, be to praise Him. He is worthy!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1641969/image.jpg http://posterous.com/users/ZtksYS43H8t Robin White Robin White Robin White Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:13:05 -0800 Luke 1:39-56 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/luke-139-56 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/luke-139-56 "Blessed us she who has said that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" (Luke 1:45)

Mary was blessed. And as she reflected in the poem recorded here, it's not because she was a great person, but because of God's grace. And in believing God's promises, she was able to receive those blessings.

Believing = blessed. 

Lord, help me to believe Your promises today... and to live like I do, too.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1641969/image.jpg http://posterous.com/users/ZtksYS43H8t Robin White Robin White Robin White Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:47:50 -0800 Luke 1:26-38 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/luke-126-38 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/luke-126-38 As the angel appears to Mary to give her the good news about Jesus, we're reminded that "his kingdom will never end" (vs. 33) and that "nothing is impossible with God." (vs. 37) These are big promises, and a reminder that as Believers we're a part of something much bigger than ourselves. We serve Someone much bigger than ourselves. Someone whose promises are true, who is faithful, who loves us.

My prayer today is that my response to this big, good God will be like Mary's: "I am the Lord's servant." (vs. 38)

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1641969/image.jpg http://posterous.com/users/ZtksYS43H8t Robin White Robin White Robin White Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:27:00 -0800 Luke 1:1-25 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/mark-11-25 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/mark-11-25
"But the angel of the Lord said to him: 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.'..." (Mark 1:13)

I am not very good at waiting. Like many of us, I have dreams and desires I've been praying about for a long time. And sometimes that's hard.  I get frustrated. I get impatient. 

But I haven't waited nearly as long as Zechariah and Elizabeth, who waited until they were old before the Lord finally enabled them to have a child. It had been such a long wait that Zechariah didn't believe it at first, even though an angel appeared to him to give him the news.

I'm reminded today to keep waiting, keep praying and keep believing God for the things I need, desire and dream about. 

Thank You, Lord. Please help me to wait, and to wait well.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1641969/image.jpg http://posterous.com/users/ZtksYS43H8t Robin White Robin White Robin White Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:41:27 -0800 Psalm 134 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/psalm-134 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/psalm-134 "Oh, praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,
you who serve at night in the house of the Lord.

Lift up holy hands in prayer,
and praise the Lord.

May the Lord, who made heaven and earth,
bless you from Jerusalem."

(Psalm 134:1-3 NLT)

This Psalm seems to be a prayer and an encouragement on behalf of those who ministered before the Lord in the Temple. It reminds me of two things: First, the importance for those of us in full-time ministry of not only leading others in worship, but worshiping God ourselves. And second, that we need people to praying for us and our ministries, praying God's blessing on us, as the singers of this song did for their priests.

I'm so thankful for the strong support base I have in North America, giving and praying so that I can serve in Japan. And I'm thankful, too, for my church family here in Nagoya, with whom I have the honour of serving God together, and who always pray for and encourage me.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1641969/image.jpg http://posterous.com/users/ZtksYS43H8t Robin White Robin White Robin White Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:30:08 -0800 Psalm 127 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/psalm-127 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/psalm-127 "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127:1)

This verse is a good reminder as I start 2012 to not live or minister in my own efforts or according to my own plans, but to let God guide and empower me instead.  May God build my life and ministry this year. If I build by myself, they will not be what they could be. I want His best instead.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1641969/image.jpg http://posterous.com/users/ZtksYS43H8t Robin White Robin White Robin White Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:09:23 -0800 Psalm 126 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/psalm-126 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/psalm-126 "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy." (Psalm 126:5)

What about those who don't sow in tears?  I wonder if the reason we don't see more fruit in our ministries sometimes is because we don't let our hearts break for those we're trying to reach.  As we work for the Lord, do we keep in the real purpose in mind?  Do we actually care?

How is prayer life?  How much time do I spend praying for others rather than just myself?  How often and how much does my heart break for others?

May my heart be broken by the things that break God's heart.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1641969/image.jpg http://posterous.com/users/ZtksYS43H8t Robin White Robin White Robin White Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:09:28 -0800 Psalm 119:17-32 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/psalm-11917-32 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/psalm-11917-32 "My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times." (vs. 20)

It would be awesome if this described me. Sure, I have my moments. But how often am a consumed by other things, distracted from the Word and ways of God? And yet in God's Word freedom is found.

"I run in the paths of your commands, for you have set my heart free."

Freedom. We don't usually think of following commands as bringing freedom, do we? We think of freedom as doing our own thing. But God loves us, and His commands are for our good. And so, with His Word and Spirit and grace, we can follow His commands to freedom.

Today I choose to follow. Please teach me Your ways, Lord, and lead me.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1641969/image.jpg http://posterous.com/users/ZtksYS43H8t Robin White Robin White Robin White Sun, 18 Dec 2011 16:48:04 -0800 Psalm 118:1-13 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/psalm-1181-13 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/psalm-1181-13 I love the imagery in this Psalm, especially the part about "cutting down" enemies in the name or authority of the Lord. Our battle is not a physical one, but a spiritual one. I think we sometimes forget that, and that the battle is won in prayer and worship. We forget the power we have in Christ. We forget that with fath we can move mountains.

Lord, keep moving mountains in my life. I claim the victory and freedom You've already won for me. And I submit to You, my commanding officer. Lead me this week, I pray.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1641969/image.jpg http://posterous.com/users/ZtksYS43H8t Robin White Robin White Robin White Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:33:59 -0800 Colossians 4:2-9 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/colossians-42-9 http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/colossians-42-9

"Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart." (Colossians 4:2 NLT)

"目をさまして、感謝のうちに祈り、ひたすら祈り続けなさい。" (コロサイ人への手紙 4:2 JA1955)

Here I'm reminded of the importance of prayer. It's not just another task to be done each day, it's powerful and worthy of my time.

祈りの大切さを思い出された。普通のやらなければならない用意だけじゃない。力強くて時間を使う価値がある。

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1641969/image.jpg http://posterous.com/users/ZtksYS43H8t Robin White Robin White Robin White